How to do cheap green beauty

While it's great that there are many natural and organic beauty products available nowadays, it's still better for the environment and your pocketbook to avoid buying products you don't need. Let's focus on the "reducing" aspect of the equation. If you don't NEED it, don't buy it, even if it's eco friendly. Here are some ways to be a "green" beauty.

Eliminate products you don't need

Skipping beauty products you don't really need means using less packaging and other resources. Here are some of the products you can probably do without.

Beauty and skin care experts agree that toner (or astringent) is not necessary. If you cleanse your face well and rinse well, you can skip the toner.

If you have oily skin you probably don't need moisturizer, and if you have normal skin, your sunscreen might be enough of a moisturizer. All skin types should use a sunscreen daily. If your skin is dry, use the gentlest cleanser you can and you can get away with less moisturizer.

Most people, unless their skin is extremely oily, don't need to wash their faces with a cleanser in the morning. Of course it goes without saying that you should thoroughly remove makeup and cleanse your face at night, but as long as you do this, your face is clean enough in the morning. Just splash with warm water then apply sunscreen.

Exfoliation is important for healthy and pretty skin, but you probably don't need an expensive product. Use a very clean washcloth to gently scrub your face. Or put some baking soda in your hand and use that as a gentle scrub. Or sugar or salt mixed with a little olive oil. Olive oil makes a great eye makeup remover too.

Skip the allover foundation. Most people don't need it all over their faces but just a little bit under the eyes and around the nose. Use a little tinted moisturizer instead or try mineral makeup, which makes your face look flawless and seems to last forever.

Skip certain steps in your beauty routine

If you curl your eyelashes you might be able to skip mascara and eyeliner. It opens up the eyes and really makes them pop. Keeping your brows groomed also shapes your face without needing a product. In addition to tweezing, try trimming the longer hairs that stick out after you comb your brows (use cuticle nippers).

Many hair care experts agree that most people wash their hair too often. Twice a week is enough. On the other days, you can rinse your hair and then reapply a small amount of styling product. Not washing your hair daily saves water and you will often find you won't need conditioner and other products for the hair, as it will be easier to style with some of the natural oils intact.

Try multi use products

Dr. Loretta, author of "6 Weeks to Sensational Skin" says that dead sea salts have multiple uses for skin problems: everything from acne to eczema.

Body lotion or conditioner can double as shaving cream. You can even buy makeup that can be used for eyes, cheeks and lips.

Make your own green beauty products

Making your own skin care products usually means you'll use far less packaging than if you bought everything. It doesn't have to be super complicated though. You can mix honey and salt to make a body or facial scrub. Or sugar and olive oil. Lemon juice, salt and olive oil are great to exfoliate and bleach elbows and heels.

Learn to love your natural look

My sister has super thick, curly hair. The kind that, if it were long, would rest in ringlets down her back. The kind that other people spend $100 per perm to try and achieve. Now she has accepted her hair and decided not to fight nature, but when she was a teenager and everone had Farrah Fawcett wings, straight was the look. So she would spend money and time trying to chemically straighten her hair, which was mostly an exercise in futility!

Learn to accept your natural face. Freckles are cute and don't have to be covered up. Curly hair is beautiful and doesn't have to be straightened. Ask your hairdresser to help you choose a style that works with your facial shape and hair texture. The more you try to change your natural look the more money and time you'll spend.

For free natural skin and body care recipes, visit http://www.SaltScrubsandBathMelts.com and for more ideas on how to be a natural beauty, visit http://www.natural-moms.com/natural_beauty.html

Tips for doing a bikini wax at home

Bikini waxes can be costly-$50 and over $75 if you want a Brazilian wax. You can buy Bikini Wax kits for less than $10

When purchasing a bikini wax kit at any pharmacy or drug store, ensure you read the directions carefully. Waxing consists of a mixture of wax, oil and resin, which is then applied directly over the hairs to be removed. Most kits come with a stick (similar to a tongue depressor) and a strip of cloth or muslin as well. The wax is warmed and melted to a caramel-like texture. It is then spread over the area to be waxed. While the wax is still warm, the muslin or cotton cloth is put over the wax and pressed down. The wax is allowed to cool and then the cloth is pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Hand pressure is then applied to the area for a few seconds to relieve discomfort.

In addition, this procedure will have to be done every 4-6 weeks. Before waxing, make sure the hairs are at least one-half inch above the skin. If you need to, carefully cut the hairs down to the appropriate length. Make sure the area is dry and free from any body oils. Therefore, a good tip is to wash and dry thoroughly. Since you are using this product for the first time, as with anything else, test it on your skin to ensure you are not allergic.

After the waxing has been completed, the area will be tender and irritated for a couple of hours. Ensure you have cream or an over-the-counter steroid which will alleviate the irritation. Above all, make sure the wax is not too hot before applying it to the skin. Avoid exposure to the sun for at least 24 hours after which be sure to apply sun block.

While there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not to use hot or cold waxing (some prefer cold waxing at home), cold waxing may not be as effective since the wax may not adhere well to the thick hairs. The good news is that with every waxing, the hairs will become less brittle and the growth of the hair will eventually decrease.

Frugal home pedicure

Home Pedicure Tips for Moms

Sometimes, it’s the simple pleasures in life that make us happy. Pampering, even for just an hour, can make all the difference. Pedicures can be expensive at the nail salon so save some many and do it yourself after the kids are asleep.


1. Light an scented candle, and place it on the counter top in your bathroom.
2. Fill your tub with warm water. Add either Epsom salt or your favorite bath salt.
3. Using cotton balls, remove old polish from your toenails with nail polish remover.
4. Soak your feet for ten to fifteen minutes.
5. Using a pumice stone to rub the heels and balls of your feet to remove dead skin. If you have a soft brush, you can use that as well.
6. Dry your feet thoroughly.
7. Cut your toenails.
8. Using your favorite moisturizer, massage your cuticles and both feet.
9. Gently push back your cuticles with an orange stick, and remove the excess cuticles.
10. Massage your legs with the moisturizer as well.
11. One foot at a time, apply clear nail hardener.
12. Apply your favorite color nail polish.
13. Apply a second coat of nail hardener.
14. Add cotton balls in between toes until nails are dry.
15. Use flip-flops if you need to walk around, or simply relax in your scented bathroom until nails are dry.

Wasn’t that a wonderful experience? Do you feel relaxed? Home pedicures can be just as soothing as going to a spa or salon; the only difference is it doesn’t cost anything except the price of a small bottle of nail polish. In addition, having an hour of alone time is completely worth the experience.